What is Total Activity (TA) Honey? TA30, TA40, TA50+ Explained
Total Activity (TA) is a rating system that measures the combined antimicrobial strength of a honey. Unlike Manuka's MGO system — which measures only one type of antimicrobial compound — TA captures both peroxide activity (PA) and non-peroxide activity (NPA). A TA50+ rating is equivalent to MGO 4000+ Manuka, the highest commercially available grade.
Key Points
- TA measures the full antimicrobial strength of honey, not just one pathway
- TA50+ = MGO 4000+ equivalent — the highest commercial bioactive honey grade
- Jarrah honey earns high TA scores because of exceptional dual-pathway activity (PA + NPA)
- The Jarrah Factor™ is Forest Fresh Honey's proprietary standard that goes beyond TA
- Every Forest Fresh batch is validated across five independent laboratories
If you have ever held a jar of premium bioactive honey and wondered what the numbers actually mean, you are not alone. The world of honey ratings is more complicated than it should be — MGO, UMF, TA, NPA, PA — each system has its own logic, and producers don't always make it easy to compare across them.
This guide explains the Total Activity (TA) system used for Australian bioactive honeys — specifically jarrah honey — from first principles. By the end, you will know exactly what each TA grade means, why it is arguably a more complete measure than MGO, and how to choose the right TA level for your needs.
For a direct comparison with Manuka honey ratings, see our full Jarrah Honey vs Manuka Honey guide.
What Does "Total Activity" Actually Mean?
Total Activity is a measure of how effectively a honey inhibits bacterial growth in a standardised laboratory test. The test compares the honey's performance against a diluted phenol (carbolic acid) solution of known concentration. The result — expressed as a percentage — is the honey's TA rating.
A honey with a TA of 30 inhibits bacteria at the same level as a 30% phenol solution. A honey with a TA of 50 matches a 50% phenol solution. The scale is not linear — the jump from TA30 to TA50 represents a very significant increase in bioactive potency.
The reason "Total" Activity matters is in what the test captures: it measures the combined effect of every antimicrobial compound in the honey, without filtering out any pathway. This is important because honey's antimicrobial activity comes from multiple sources:
1. Peroxide Activity (PA): When honey dilutes in moisture (saliva, wound fluid, water), the enzyme glucose oxidase produces hydrogen peroxide. This is the primary antimicrobial mechanism in many Australian honeys, including jarrah. It is highly effective.
2. Non-Peroxide Activity (NPA): Antimicrobial compounds that work independently of hydrogen peroxide — primarily methylglyoxal in Manuka, plus phenolic compounds. These remain active even when catalase (an enzyme in body fluids) breaks down the peroxide.
Manuka honey is celebrated — correctly — for its high NPA. But by only measuring NPA (via MGO or UMF), the Manuka rating system ignores peroxide activity entirely. Jarrah honey has both, and the TA system measures both.
The TA Scale: What Each Grade Means
| TA Grade | Bioactivity Level | Equivalent Manuka Grade | Forest Fresh Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| TA35+ | Active — entry bioactive | Approx. MGO 800+ | Jarrah TA35+ / TA35+ Sachets |
| TA40+ | High Active | Approx. MGO 1700+ | Jarrah Gold TA40+ |
| TA50+ | Ultra Active — highest grade | MGO 4000+ equivalent | Jarrah Platinum TA50+ |
These equivalences are based on peer-reviewed research including Hossain & Locher (2023) and are validated through independent laboratory testing. They allow you to compare jarrah and Manuka honey on equal footing.
It is worth noting that TA35+ is already a meaningful bioactive grade. Many everyday wellness uses — a daily spoonful in warm water, support for an irritated throat — are well supported at the TA35+ level. TA40+ and TA50+ are for those who want maximum bioactive density, whether for specific wellness goals or simply as their benchmark for quality.
Why Peroxide Activity (PA) Matters
There is a persistent myth in the premium honey market that non-peroxide activity is "better" than peroxide activity — partly because Manuka's marketing has centred on NPA, and partly because NPA remains active in catalase-rich environments where PA breaks down.
The reality is more nuanced.
For most everyday uses — immune support, gut health, antioxidant intake, sore throats — both PA and NPA are highly effective. Research by Irish, Blair and Carter (2011), published in PLOS ONE, demonstrated that Australian honey types with high peroxide activity showed substantial antibacterial effects against multiple pathogens.
Jarrah honey's peroxide activity is among the highest recorded for any honey type tested. Combined with its NPA and exceptional antioxidant content, this produces a bioactive profile that a 2023 study (Hossain & Locher, Applied Sciences) found "at times exceeded NZ Manuka honey" in antibacterial and antioxidant measurements.
Both pathways matter. The TA system respects that. MGO does not.
🍯 Shop by TA level — Find the right Forest Fresh Jarrah honey for your needs, from TA35+ entry bioactive to TA50+ Ultra Active. Browse the Jarrah Range →
The Jarrah Factor™: Beyond the TA Number
A TA rating tells you a honey's total antimicrobial strength. What it does not tell you is the composition of that activity, the antioxidant density, the glycemic impact, or whether the honey has been independently authenticated as genuine jarrah.
This is why Forest Fresh Honey developed the Jarrah Factor™ — a proprietary quality standard that goes beyond TA to give you the full picture of a honey's bioactive value.
The Jarrah Factor™ incorporates: - TA rating (total antimicrobial strength) - PA/NPA split (what proportion of activity comes from each pathway) - Antioxidant density (linked to the Goodness Factor™) - Glycemic index (captured in the Glycemic Factor™) - Floral authentication (confirmed as genuine WA jarrah by lab testing) - Crystallisation-Free Guarantee™ (texture quality assurance)
No other honey producer in Australia uses a comparable composite quality standard. When you buy Forest Fresh, you are not buying a single-number rating — you are buying a comprehensively validated product.
How Forest Fresh Tests Every Batch
Our five-laboratory validation process is not typical in the honey industry. Many producers rely on a single test result. We test every batch across five independent labs before it is cleared for sale.
What we test: 1. Total Activity (TA) — overall antimicrobial strength 2. Peroxide Activity (PA) — hydrogen peroxide pathway specifically 3. Non-Peroxide Activity (NPA) — non-hydrogen-peroxide antimicrobial strength 4. Antioxidant content — polyphenol and flavonoid levels 5. Floral authenticity — confirming jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) as the nectar source
This means that every TA50+ jar you receive has been confirmed at TA50+ — not once, but five times, by five different laboratories. We can provide a Certificate of Analysis (COA) for any batch.
For more detail on reading honey labels, see our guide: How to Read Your Honey Label: TA Ratings, WDPE and the Jarrah Factor™.
Which TA Level Should You Choose?
TA35+ is a great starting point. Our TA35+ Sachets are particularly well-suited for daily use — easy to carry, easy to portion, and a meaningful bioactive dose. Many customers use TA35+ regularly and reserve TA50+ for times when they want maximum bioactivity.
TA40+ (Jarrah Gold) sits in the middle ground — significantly more potent than TA35+, at a price point below Platinum. Note: Jarrah Gold TA40+ has genuinely limited stock remaining (285 units). This is not a marketing tactic; it reflects the reality of jarrah's 2–4 year flowering cycle.
TA50+ (Jarrah Platinum) is our hero product and Australia's most bioactive jarrah honey. If you are comparing to Manuka MGO 4000+ — which sells for comparable or higher prices — Jarrah Platinum TA50+ delivers equivalent total antimicrobial strength with the additional benefit of dual-pathway activity and three times more antioxidants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does TA stand for in honey? A: TA stands for Total Activity. It is a measure of a honey's overall antimicrobial strength, tested by comparing the honey's ability to inhibit bacteria against a phenol solution of known concentration. A TA30 honey performs equivalently to a 30% phenol solution.
Q: Is TA the same as UMF or MGO? A: No. MGO (methylglyoxal) and UMF measure only non-peroxide activity in Manuka honey. TA measures both peroxide activity (PA) and non-peroxide activity (NPA), making it a more complete measure of total antimicrobial strength for honeys like jarrah that have both activity types.
Q: Is TA50+ really equivalent to MGO 4000+? A: Yes — in terms of total antibacterial performance. TA50+ captures the combined strength of both PA and NPA. MGO 4000+ measures only the NPA pathway. The comparison is supported by peer-reviewed research and validated through independent laboratory testing.
Q: What is a good TA rating for everyday use? A: TA35+ is an effective daily-use grade. TA40+ and TA50+ provide higher bioactive potency for those who want maximum activity. All three grades contain meaningful levels of antioxidants and dual antimicrobial activity.
Q: Does a higher TA always mean better honey? A: Higher TA means higher total antimicrobial strength — which is one dimension of quality. For most wellness uses, this is the most relevant metric. But the Jarrah Factor™ also considers antioxidant density, glycemic index, and floral authenticity — a complete picture of quality that a single number cannot capture.
Q: Can I verify the TA rating on my jar? A: Yes. Every Forest Fresh batch is tested across five independent laboratories. You can request a Certificate of Analysis (COA) at any time. The batch number on your jar can be traced to the corresponding lab results.
The information in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition. Please consult your healthcare professional before using honey as part of a health or medical regimen. Forest Fresh Honey products are food products, not medicines. Not suitable for children under 12 months. These statements are based on traditional use and emerging scientific research.
Written by Matt Fewster, 5th generation of the Fewster family and co-founder of Forest Fresh Honey.
Sources: - Hossain, M. L. & Locher, C. (2023). Characterisation of Western Australian Honey. Applied Sciences, 13(13), 7440. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/13/7440 - Irish, J., Blair, S. & Carter, D. A. (2011). The Antibacterial Activity of Honey Derived from Australian Flora. PLOS ONE. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0018229 - Pavy, S. & Dragar, C. (2011). Antioxidant Properties of WA Jarrah Honey. WA Jarrah Honey Committee. https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/35350b70-4b13-4876-abd6-b146f468c4e8/downloads/media-release%20on%20antioxidant%20of%20jarrah%20honey.pdf